Night Beach (57 page)

together
in
a
small
pile
like
the
treasures
they
are.

I
can
see
their
shadows.
And
I
know
now
that
everything
has
a
shadow,
including
me.

I
know
there
is
fear,
but
there
is
also
wonder.
I
see
wonder.

Because
standing
on
the
dirt
behind
the
pile
of
relics
is
my
grandad’s
wooden
candle

holder.
And
the
candle
in
it
is
alight.

This
book
was
written
during
the
best
of
times
and
the
worst
of
times.
Thanks
to
Jason

and
the
girls
for
unconditional
support
and
love
during
both.
Thanks
to
my
agent
Selwa

Anthony,
who
contacted
me
right
when
I
needed
it
most.
For
feedback
and
confidence

boosting,
thank
you,
Selena
Hanet-‐Hutchins.
Thanks
to
my
publisher,
Laura
Harris,
who

is
full
of
grace.
Big
thanks
and
gratitude
to
the
lovely
people
at
Penguin.
And
for
an

amazing
cover
–
thank
you,
Marina
Messiha.

Thanks
to
Brad
Teare
for
sharing
painting
techniques,
and
for
wise,
calming
words

when
I
was
struggling.
One
of
the
characters
in
this
book,
Pinty,
is
absolutely
real,
and

my
thanks
go
to
Dixie
Creaghe
for
letting
Pinty
take
part.
Thanks
to
Dennis
and
Carol

White
for
dressing
gowns
and
Tumbleside.
As
ever,
thanks
to
my
family
and
friends,
you

make
my
life
rich.
And
thanks
to
Kelly
Hawken,
who
is
the
icing.
Thanks
to
Lisa
Heidke

and
Melina
Marchetta
–
writers
I
admire,
but
also
very
generous
friends.
Thank
you
to

Lindsay
Healea
for
so
many
things.
Likewise,
I
am
so
grateful
to
the
readers,

booksellers,
bloggers,
writers,
teachers
and
librarians
who
have
supported
my
work
–

you’ve
made
all
the
difference.
My
final
words
are
for
my
editor,
Amy
Thomas.
Amy,
it’s

because
of
you
that
this
story
is
what
it’s
supposed
to
be.
Working
with
you
is
a
gift.